New Delhi
11 January 2008
India and China have different perceptions of the Line of Actual
Control but their special representatives have made steady progress towards arriving at
an agreed framework for resolving the boundary question, Foreign Secretary
Shivshankar Menon said.
"We do have areas where we have differences of perception. We do not see any change
in the situation. The border is peaceful and has remained peaceful," he told a news
conference on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to China from January
13 to 15.
The Indian special representative for the border talks, National Security Adviser MK
Narayanan, and the Chinese special representative, Senior Vice Foreign Minister Dai
Bingguo, will touch base on the sidelines of Prime Minister Singh's engagements in
Beijing.
Does New Delhi view the Chinese railway infrastructure in Tibet with concern because
Beijing could deploy troops at the border in less time than before? a reporter wanted to
know. "You have to accept the world will keep changing. We also do what we need to. As
of now we are comfortable with the relationship with China," Mr Menon replied.
The foreign secretary sought to explain that India and China have conclusively
demonstrated their will to maintain peace and tranquility on the border. Both countries
have agreed to maintain status quo pending settlement of the boundary question, he
said in response to another question on the Chinese incursions.
Prime Minister Singh amplified New Delhi's position when he told the Xinhua news
agency of China that he will travel to Beijing with an open mind to hold free and frank
discussions on all issues of common interests. "An early settlement of the boundary
question will advance the basic interests of the two countries and should, therefore, be
pursued as a strategic objective," he said in a written interview to Xinhua, which was
published on Friday.
The Prime Minister said in that interview that India is committed to resolving differences
on the boundary question "through peaceful means and in a fair, reasonable, mutually
acceptable and proactive manner, while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to
affect the positive development of bilateral relations". India-China relations have today
transcended their bilateral dimension and have acquired global and strategic
significance, the Prime Minister added.
China's State-run People's Daily, which reflects the views of the Communist Party
of China, has said in an article that India and China have "more consensus than
differences" today and the two countries would surely work out solutions that are
practical and satisfactory for both sides so long as they cherish the values of peace,
friendship, equality, consultation, mutual respect and understanding.
Echoing Prime Minister Singh's sentiments, the People's Daily said that both countries
had realised that their strategic and cooperative partnership is conducive to peace,
stability and prosperity of Asia and the world. "Leaders from both sides have said that
Sino-Indian relations have transcended the mere concept of bilateral ties to have
international significance," it recalled.
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